Injured Pearland bald eagle euthanized

Updated 3:40 pm, Thursday, March 13, 2014

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Wildlife Center of Texas Operations Director Margaret Pickell, left, and Houston SPCA staff veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Hoggard rehabilitate a Bald Eagle at the Wild Life Center of Texas, Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Houston. Officials brought the bird in overnight with a very large laceration to his wing, a possible shoulder injury and some other injuries to his chest. The two gave him fluids to stabilize him before transporting him to Texas A&M. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Bald eagles are in Texas for the winter. Some are residents, some are here to breed, and some are winter migrants.

Bald eagles are in Texas for the winter. Some are residents, some are here to breed, and some are winter migrants.

Photo: Kathy Adams Clark

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Shown is one of a pair of bald eagles that have been building a nest in Paul and Elsie White's backyard since before Christmas. The retired couple marvel at their new neighbors and hope they'll stick around.

Shown is one of a pair of bald eagles that have been building a nest in Paul and Elsie White's backyard since before Christmas. The retired couple marvel at their new neighbors and hope they'll stick around.

Photo: Paul White, Photo Provided

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Adult bald eagles have a chocolate-colored body and a white head and tail.

Adult bald eagles have a chocolate-colored body and a white head and tail.

Photo: Kathy Adams Clark

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Paul and Elsie White have become amateur bald eagle experts - and generous hosts - since the feathered pair took to their backyard in Webster.

Paul and Elsie White have become amateur bald eagle experts - and generous hosts - since the feathered pair took to their backyard in Webster.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Staff

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Bald eagles are in Texas for the winter. Some are residents, some are here to breed, and some are winter migrants. Photo credit: Kathy Adams Clark. Restricted use.

Bald eagles are in Texas for the winter. Some are residents, some are here to breed, and some are winter migrants. Photo credit: Kathy Adams Clark. Restricted use.

Photo: Kathy Adams Clark

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Wildlife Center of Texas Operations Director Margaret Pickell, left, and Houston SPCA staff veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Hoggard rehabilitate a Bald Eagle at the Wild Life Center of Texas, Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Houston. Officials brought the bird in overnight with a very large laceration to his wing, a possible shoulder injury and some other injuries to his chest. The two gave him fluids to stabilize him before transporting him to Texas A&M. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Wildlife Center of Texas Operations Director Margaret Pickell, left, and Houston SPCA staff veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Hoggard rehabilitate a Bald Eagle at the Wild Life Center of Texas, Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Houston. Officials brought the bird in overnight with a very large laceration to his wing, a possible shoulder injury and some other injuries to his chest. The two gave him fluids to stabilize him before transporting him to Texas A&M. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Wildlife Center of Texas Operations Director Margaret Pickell, left, and Houston SPCA staff veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Hoggard rehabilitate a Bald Eagle at the Wild Life Center of Texas, Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Houston. Officials brought the bird in overnight with a very large laceration to his wing, a possible shoulder injury and some other injuries to his chest. The two gave him fluids to stabilize him before transporting him to Texas A&M. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Wildlife Center of Texas Operations Director Margaret Pickell, left, and Houston SPCA staff veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Hoggard rehabilitate a Bald Eagle at the Wild Life Center of Texas, Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Houston. Officials brought the bird in overnight with a very large laceration to his wing, a possible shoulder injury and some other injuries to his chest. The two gave him fluids to stabilize him before transporting him to Texas A&M. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Wildlife Center of Texas Operations Director Margaret Pickell, left, and Houston SPCA staff veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Hoggard rehabilitate a Bald Eagle at the Wild Life Center of Texas, Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Houston. Officials brought the bird in overnight with a very large laceration to his wing, a possible shoulder injury and some other injuries to his chest. The two gave him fluids to stabilize him before transporting him to Texas A&M. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Wildlife Center of Texas Operations Director Margaret Pickell, left, and Houston SPCA staff veterinarian Dr. Cheryl Hoggard rehabilitate a Bald Eagle at the Wild Life Center of Texas, Wednesday, March 12, 2014, in Houston. Officials brought the bird in overnight with a very large laceration to his wing, a possible shoulder injury and some other injuries to his chest. The two gave him fluids to stabilize him before transporting him to Texas A&M. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

A bald eagle that the Houston SPCA said was shocked by electricity earlier this week was euthanized on Thursday morning.

According to Angela Clendenin, spokesperson for the Texas A&M veterinary hospital, the eagle, which was found severely injured in a Pearland yard, had to be put down per federal guidelines.

"We wanted to give this eagle every opportunity, but there was not enough of the wing left to salvage," said Clendenin. Federal wildlife guidelines say if a bald eagle's injuries prove to be too traumatic, the bird must be euthanized humanely.

Meera Nandlal, spokesperson for the Houston SPCA, said the eagle had been living in the Pearland yard with a mate for more than a year.

The eagle was likely electrocuted on Monday, she said.

Dr. Jill Heatley, associate professor of zoo medicine at Texas A&M, believes that the eagle may have come in contact with a power line or transformer.

The male eagle, believed to be 3 to 5 years old, was sent on Wednesday afternoon to the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.